Bitcoin: Is creator Satoshi Nakamoto still alive? Adam Back responds

For more than fifteen years, a question has continued to fuel discussions in the cryptocurrency ecosystem: what really happened with Bitcoin and its creator, Satoshi Nakamoto? While the debates around the BIP-110 proposal still divide the community, Adam Back returned to this enigma during an exchange on

Bitcoin remains linked to the biggest mystery of its creator

As discussions on the security of the Bitcoin network intensify around the BIP-110 proposal, another historical question resurfaces: that of the fate of its creator. Adam Back, CEO of Blockstream, recently reacted to an exchange published on X about Satoshi Nakamoto. After supporting the first stages of the project, the latter suddenly left the public scene in April 2011. In his last known email, sent to developer Mike Hearn, he explained that he was now devoting himself to other projects and affirmed that the development of Bitcoin was in good hands.

Since this final message, no communication officially attributed to Satoshi Nakamoto has been made public. This absence has favored the appearance of numerous theories about his identity and his destiny. Some argue that he died, while others believe that he simply chose to disappear permanently from public life. Adam Back points out, however, that there is currently no concrete evidence to confirm either of these hypotheses.

Adam Back rejects claims about Satoshi Nakamoto

The discussion arose after the post of Matteo Pellegrini, CEO of Club Orange, who stated that “ Satoshi Nakamoto would support BIP-110 today if he were still alive “. Adam Back immediately disputed this claim, responding that there was no evidence to support that the creator of Bitcoin was dead:

What makes you think he’s dead? Unlikely, but possible. Either way, this is just speculation.

Adam Back, CEO of Blockstream. Source: X / @adam3us

He even stressed that this possibility remained possible, but that it remained impossible to demonstrate with the information available.

Thus, the leader of Blockstream summarized his position by explaining that “ all hypotheses regarding the survival or death of Satoshi Nakamoto were purely speculation “. This position comes after Back had already rejected the BIP-110 proposal, intended to temporarily limit non-financial data recorded on the Bitcoin blockchain. The text is due to be considered before the start of August, but it currently has limited support from miners.

Theories persist despite lack of evidence

Satoshi Nakamoto’s silence has now lasted about fifteen years. During this period, no transactions originating from the addresses assigned to it were identified. This situation fuels several scenarios, without any of which can be confirmed. Some believe he destroyed the private keys giving access to his assets.

Another theory suggests that these bitcoins are still under its control, having not been moved since the network’s beginnings. At the same time, the real identity of Satoshi Nakamoto remains unknown. Adam Back himself is among those sometimes cited as a potential candidate, notably because he was, along with Hal Finney, one of the first recipients of an email sent by Satoshi Nakamoto. His work on Hashcash, developed in 1997, is also discussed because of its connection to the proof-of-work mechanism used by Bitcoin.

The mystery surrounding Bitcoin and its creator therefore continues to fuel debate without providing a definitive answer. As long as no new evidence emerges, the different hypotheses should continue to coexist, while discussions around the legacy left by Satoshi Nakamoto will remain at the heart of ecosystem news.